Egypt Unveils Plans to Strengthen Agriculture, Expand Global Market Reach

Egypt is intensifying efforts to achieve food self-sufficiency and expand its agricultural exports, according to Agriculture and Land Reclamation Minister Alaa El-Din Farouk.

Farouk said the government is targeting self-sufficiency in red meat within the next five years. He noted that Egypt has already begun exporting meat to countries such as Lebanon and Jordan, adding that some national companies are importing livestock, placing them under quarantine and fattening programs to increase their value before re-exporting them. This, he explained, generates hard currency revenues that are reinvested into the production cycle, benefiting the national economy.

The minister stressed the importance of exporting processed agricultural products rather than raw commodities, which he said provides greater economic benefits for farmers. He highlighted infrastructure upgrades, including new roads and expanded port facilities, that have facilitated Egyptian access to international markets.

Farouk pointed to Damietta Port’s direct shipping line to European ports, which reduces delivery times for agricultural exports to less than 24 hours. He also noted coordination with Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel El-Wazir to expand agricultural processing zones and establish factories for raisins, flax, and jasmine paste — all aimed at boosting value-added exports.

The minister confirmed that Egypt has already achieved self-sufficiency in poultry meat and produces more than 15 billion eggs annually. Coordination between the Agriculture Ministry and the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade, he said, helps ensure market stability and fair pricing.

Farouk outlined several pillars of Egypt’s agricultural strategy under Vision 2030, including concessional loans to farmers at a reduced 5% interest rate, repayable after harvest, and initiatives such as dairy collection centers and small-scale agricultural enterprises backed by the Central Bank.

He noted that collaboration with the Ministry of Petroleum has ensured farmers receive over 2.4 million tons of subsidized fertilizers annually at a cost exceeding EGP 40 billion. In addition, direct financial support to farmers surpasses EGP 4 billion annually through partnerships with the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank.

Technical advances such as modern irrigation systems and agricultural guidance programs have helped overcome export barriers, including potato brown rot, positioning Egypt among the world’s leading potato exporters. Wastewater treatment and reuse projects have also expanded the country’s arable land.

Farouk said agricultural research centers have developed high-yield, salt-resistant seed varieties adapted to climate change, strengthening Egypt’s food security and competitiveness in global markets.

He underscored the role of the “Decent Life” (Hayah Karima) presidential initiative, describing it as a landmark program for rural development in Africa and the Middle East. The initiative has delivered infrastructure improvements in roads, schools, sanitation networks, and integrated health and agricultural complexes, directly benefiting farmers.

Reforms at the Agricultural Bank of Egypt, Farouk added, have boosted financial inclusion and provided stronger support for small farmers, particularly rural women. He also stressed that consolidating fragmented farmland remains a priority to improve production efficiency and strengthen services to farmers.

“Our ultimate goal is to secure a decent life for Egyptian farmers and transform villages into productive forces contributing to the national economy,” the minister said.